Fans’ return for Chorley derby clash will be a big boost for Bamber Bridge says boss

The friendly will represent the first crowd-attended game for either side since March, with a maximum of 300 fans permitted to enter er FA and government guidelines. The game will be all ticket, with the visitors allowed to bring 50 fans.

Milligan said: “It’ll be great for both sets of fans because they’ve probably not seen a lot of football.

“I think the main thing is that it’s only a pre-season friendly, but we can get the fans back in, which is a massive plus. The club have done well to push it and hopefully we’ll get a good gate on Saturday. Come the start of the season you never know. Preston are not allowed fans back in so we might get theirs coming to watch us.”

Brig began their pre-season campaign on August 4 with a trip to Clitheroe, and have since faced off against Bolton Wanderers, AFC Blackpool, Skelmersdale United and Longridge Town.

This week’s scheduled friendly against Fulwood Amateurs was called off, however, and facility closures have impacted their plans. Milligan says that despite those setbacks, the players have enjoyed a strong pre-season and are ready for the new season.

He said: “It’s not been the most ideal preparation, through training facilities being shut and games getting called off, but the lads have done well pre-season.

“The games we’ve played in they’ve worked hard.

“The main thing is getting the minutes and the fitness, but our squad is building nicely. It’s slowly getting there, but we’ll get there come the start of the season.

“We’ve worked hard on different formations in pre-season as well. We need to have a plan B. Everyone’s in the same boat – if you play well, you keep your shirt, it’s as simple as that.”

Brig have already confirmed two signings this summer, with Scott Burton joining the club and midfielder George Thomason returning on a season-long loan from Bolton.

They are close to adding a third player, and another is on trial.

Milligan has more plans to expand the squad but says that the club may have to play a patience game.

“We’re hoping on a couple of loans from teams higher up,” he added. “We just can’t get them in at the minute because of the way they’re in their bubble groups training with their pro clubs.

“If they come out and start training with us, they’ve got to go back into training with them.

“We’ll get there, it’s just probably going to be a late one with the loan deals.”